Single-station multipurpose body-exercising machine

ABSTRACT

An exercising machine comprising an upright supporting structure, vertical tracks associated with the upright supporting structure, a carriage which slides vertically upwardly and downwardly on the vertical tracks, a lifting arm rigidly but removably connected to the carriage at any selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced connection points, and adjustable resistance means associated with the carriage to bias the carriage and lifting arm in a vertically downward direction downward movement of the carriage being limited by stop elements.

Uited States Patent arcyan i451 Jan. E8, 1972 [54] SINGLE-STATIONMULTIPURPOSE BODY-EXERCISING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Walter Mar-cyan,3055 Hollywell Place,

Glendale, Calif. 91206 [22] Filed: Apr. 21,1969

[21] Appl.No.: 817,729

[52] US. Cl ..272/8l [51] lint. Cl. ..A63b 21/06 [58] Field of Search..272/79, 80, 81, 82, 83

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 323,792 8/1885 Coop et a1...272/81 2,932,509 4/1960 Zinkin ....272/81 X 3,346,256 10/1967 White..272/8l 2,977,120 3/1961 Morris ..272/81 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 177,631 l2/l96l Sweden ..272/81 Primary Examiner-Delbert B.Lowe Attorney-Wham & McManigal An exercising machine comprising anupright supporting structure, vertical tracks associated with theupright supporting structure, a carriage which slides verticallyupwardly and downwardly on the vertical tracks, a lifting arm rigidlybut removably connected to the carriage at any selected one of aplurality of vertically spaced connection points, and adjustableresistance means associated with the carriage to bias the carriage andlifting arm in a vertically downward direction downward movement of thecarriage being limited by stop elements.

ABSTRAICT 6 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PAIEMEU .m a s we SHEET 3 OF 4INVENTOR SINGLE-STATION MULTIPURPOSE BODY-EXERCISING MACHINE BACKGROUNDor INVENTION The use of progressive resistance exercises for therapeuticand rehabilitative purposes and the use of progressive resistanceexercises involving heavy weights for marked increases in strength andendurance were developed and employed during World War II. Since thattime the use of progressive increases in weight has grown in popularityin university, college, and high school physical education programs andathletic departments.

Exercising the muscles against progressively increasing weights not onlyresults in the development of strength and endurance of the muscles, butin the improvement of neuromuscular coordination and moreefficientfunctioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Apparatus such as dumbbells and barbells have long been employed forprogressive resistance exercises. However, shortcomings, such asstrains, hazards, and balancing problems attend the use of dumbbells andbarbells.

Certain disadvantages are incident to a multistation exercise machinewhich incorporates a supine press station, a sitting press station and asquat station, or possibly more stations. A multistation exercisingmachine requires considerable floor space and is therefore not suitablefor use in a relativelysmall area. A multistation exercising machine,compared to a singlestation exercising machine, is expensive tomanufacture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention features a single-stationbody-exercising machine-for selectively exercising and developingisolated muscles, such as the leg, back, shoulder, chest or armmuscles-that is adapted for use in a relatively small area, such as aroom of a home. The single-station body-exercising machine is comprisedof an upright supporting structure having vertical track means; avertically reciprocative carriage mounted in, and guided by, said trackmeans, and restrained against pivotal movement; adjustable weight meanssupported in said upright structure; connecting means connected to saidcarriage and said adjustable weight means whereby said carriage isbiased in a vertically downward direction; and bodyengaging means, saidbody-engaging means being moveable only in a vertical straight linedirection and adjustable whereby said body-engaging means may beadjusted into different-starting positions. The adjustability of thebody-engaging means into different starting positionsenables the user toquickly change the single station of the exercising machine to a squatstation, a toe raise station, an upright row station, a dead liftstation, a shoulder shrug station, a sitting press station, a standingpress station or a supine press station.

An important feature of the exercising machine of the present inventionis the straight line of travel from a position of complete musclecontraction to a position of complete muscle extension presentedthereby. The disadvantages of an arcuate path of travel are, therefore,completely eliminated.

It is an object of the present-invention to provide a multipurposesingle-station exercising machine which occupies relatively little floorspace and is, therefore, especially suitable for home use.

Another object is to provide an exercising machine which presents aconstant resistance from a position of complete muscle contraction to aposition of complete muscle extension.

Another object is to provide an exercising machine which presents astraight line of travel from a position of complete muscle contractionto a position of complete muscle extension to enable the user to centerhis body during the entire thrust, from contraction to extension.

Another object is to provide an exercising machine which avoids strains,hazards and balancing problems by presenting a straight line of travelfrom a position of complete muscle contraction to a position of completemuscle extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of anapparatus embodying the principles of the invention; 7

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of an apparatus embodyingthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in front elevation of details of one embodiment of acarriage and lifting arm for the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. d is a plan view in section taken along the line d-d of FIG. 3; 1

FIG. 5 is a side view in section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a lifting arm for the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the lifting arm of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section of the weight systemfor the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a plan view in section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. I0 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying theprinciples of the present invention being used to execute a supinepress;

FIG. II is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying theprinciples of the present invention being used to execute a sittingpress;

FIG. I2 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying theprinciples of the present invention being used to execute an uprightrow;

FIG. I3 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying theprinciples of the present invention being used to execute a squat;

FIG. 14 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying theprinciples of the present invention being used to execute a standingpress;

FIG. 15 is a view in front elevation showing details of anotherembodiment of a carriage and lifting arm for the apparatus of FIG. 2; a

FIG. 16 is a side view in section taken along the line llfi-llo of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a plan view in section taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in section taken along theline 18-18 of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view in section taken along theline 19-19 of FIG. I5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There is shown in FIGS. 1-14 anexercisingmachine, comprised of a supporting frame structure, generallydesignated as 20, a carriage, generally designated as 21, a pair ofvertical parallel guide members or tracks, generally designated as 22and 23, a lifting arm generally designated as 24, and weights generallydesignated as 25.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the supporting frame structure20 includes a pair of horizontal spaced parallel front and back basemembers 26, interconnected by a pair of horizontal spaced parallel sidebase members 27. The base members are adapted to rest on the horizontalplatform 28, and the base members 27 are connected to the platform 28 bybolts 29. The supporting frame structure 20 also includes fourrectangularly arranged vertical corner members. The front corner members22 and 23 are secured to the base members and extend vertically upwardlytherefrom. The back comer members 30 and Hill are secured to the basemembers and extend vertically upwardly therefrom. The front cornermembeta 22 and 23 and the back corner members 30 and 31 areinterconnected at their upper ends by a pair of horizontal spacedparallel upper front and back members 32 and a pair of horizontal spacedparallel upper side members 33. Extending between the spaced parallelupper front and back members 32 is an upper pulley support 34. Extendingbetween the spaced parallel front and back base members 26 is a pulleysupport and weight plaifonn 35. The front comer members 22 and 23 areconstructed so as to provide tracks or guides for the carriage 21. Thisfeature, which is best seen in FIG. 4, will be discussed in more detailbelow. The front comer members 22 and 23 include stop means 36 toprevent the carriage 21 from travelling below a predetermined height.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the carriage 21 includes acentral body portion 37 comprising two spaced elongated parallelsideplates 38. The sideplates 38 are spaced apart and secured to aplurality of parallel vertically aligned cylindrical tubes (sockets) 39.The sockets 39 areadapted to receive the inner end 40 (FIG. 6) of thelifting am 24. The inner end 40 of the lifting arm 24 and the sockets 39are provided with vertical holes 41 which register for receiving the pin42 to secure the lifting arm 24 in position. The sockets 39 are providedwith stops 43 to immediately align the vertical holes 41 of the liftingarm and the sockets.

The sideplates 38 are provided with lower andupper vertically alignedcoaxial openings 44 which are adapted to receive, in securedrelationship, two cylindrical tubes 45. The cylindrical tubes 45 serveas axles upon which double rolled ball bearing wheels 46 are mounted.During operation the wheels-46 roll freely upward and downwardly in thetracks 22 and 23.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the socket-engaging portionto of the lifting arm 24 is adapted to fit into a selected socket 39 ofthe carriage 21. The body-engaging portions of the lifting arm 24consist of horizontal coaxial handles 47 and shoulder-engaging portions48 forming a V. Portions 48 extend outwardly from their apex 49 toprovide space to accommodate the head and neck of the user. The apex 49is rigidly attached to the outer portion of the socket-engaging portion40 so that the handles 47 lie in a plane below the plane in which thesocket-engaging portion 40 lies. Thus the lifting arm 24 is bent asindicated at 50 (FIG. 7). The bent lifting arm coacts with the pluralityof sockets 39 to provide a plurality of starting heights to in turnprovide a plurality of exercises. Thus if a man of medium height desiredto perform a supine press he would simply insert the end 40 of thelifting arm in the lowest socket with the handles 47 downward and securethe lifting arm in positionby the pin 42. See FIG. 10. Likewise if a manof medium height desired to perform a sitting press, he would simplyinsert the end 40 of the lifting arm in the socket second from thebottom with the handles 47 upward and secure the lifting arm in positionby the pin 42. See FIG. 11. Likewise, if a man of medium height desiredto perform an upright row, he would simply insert the end 40 of thelifting arm in the socket second from the bottom with the handles 47downward and secure the lifting arm in position by the pin 42. See FIG.12. Likewise if a man of medium height desired to perform a squat, hewould simply insert the end 40 of the lifting arm in the socket thirdfrom the bottom with the handles 47 downward and secure the lifting armin position by the pin 42. See FIG. 13. And likewise if a man of mediumheight desired to perform a standing press he would simply insert theend 40 of the lifting arm in the uppermost socket with the handles 47upward and secure the lifting arm in position by the pin 42.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, inwardly of the verticalcorner members 22, 23, 30 and 31 is a pulley support andweight-supporting platform 35, secured to the base members 26. Securedto the top of the pulley support and weightsupporting platform 35 is aweight support 51 which supports a pair of coil springs, each designatedas 52. Secured to the top of the platform 51 and extending upwardlytherefrom are two parallel, spaced, channeLshaped bars 53 and 54, thechannel openings facing each other, as indicated in FIG. 9.

Seventeen l-pound weights designated generally as 25 sur round and areslidably engaged with bars 53 and 54, the weights being directlysupported on the coil springs 52. Each of the weights, as best seen inFIG. 9, has a generally rectangular central opening 55, having aconfiguration corresponding to that of the two bars 53 and S4 and beingsuch that the weight can be placed in slidable engagement on the barsonly by inserting the weight over the ends thereof. Extending outwardlyfrom the central opening 55 is a reentrant portion or slot-shapedopening 56 which extends vertically through the weight. Opposite theopening 56 and extending inwardly from the opening 55 is a cylindricalhole 57.

Slidably engaged in the channels of the bars 53 and 54 is a weightselector bar 58, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. The selector bar 58 hasa plurality of spaced horizontal cylindrical openings 59, adapted to bein register, or to be moved into register, with a conveniently adjacentopening 57 in one of the weights. As shown in FIG. 8, a selector pin 60has a handle 61 and a cylindrical pin 62 extending therefrom. The pinextends into the reentrant portion 56, an opening 59 in the selector barand an opening 57 in the lowest weight, as 250, of a group of weights,or of a single weight to be selected for movement upwardly with theselector baLThus, as'indicated in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, when the selectorbar 58 is moved upwardly within the bars 53 and 54, the upper fourweights, including 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d will be moved therewith. If itis desired to move more or fewer weights with the selector bar, then thepin 60 must be realigned with an opening 59 in the selector bar which inturn must be properly aligned with an opening 57 in the lowest weightdesired to be selected.

A lower end 630 of a cable, generally designated as 63, is secured tothe top of the selector bar 58 for raising the latter and the weightsattached thereto by means of the pin 60. The cable 63 has an upwardlyextending portion 63b between the bars 53 and 54, and further extendsover a pair of horizontally aligned spaced pulleys 64 and 65.

The axles of the pulleys 64 and65 are'supported on the upper pulleysupport 34. The upper ends of the bars 53 and 54 are also supported andsecured on the pulley support 34.

The cable 63 has a portion designated as 630 extending downwardly fromthe pulleys 64 and 65, and which extends over a pulley 66. The pulley 66is supported on pulley support and weight platform 35. Extending upwardfrom the pulley 66 is a cable portion designated as 63d. The upper end630 of the cable 63 is secured to the carriage 21. Thus, with theselector pin in position as shown in FIG. 8, 40 pounds of weights willbe lifted by upward movement of the carriage 21.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, there is shownanother embodiment of a carriage and lifting arm for the apparatus ofFIG. 2. The carriage includes a standard 70 and vertically aligned axles71 rigidly secured thereto. Double rolled ball bearing wheels 72 aremounted on the axles 71. During operation of the apparatus the wheels 72roll freely upwardly and downwardly in the tracks 22 and 23.

The lifting arm is comprised of integrally related horizontal coaxialhandles 73, V-shaped shoulder-engaging portions 74, an intermediateportion 75 and a sleeve 76. The sleeve 76 is interlocked for upward anddownward longitudinal movement with the standard 70. Referringparticularly to FIG. 19, the standard 70 is deformed to provide alongitudinal groove 77 and the sleeve 76 is deformed to provide alongitudinal rib 78 to permit longitudinal movement and preventrotational movement of the lifting arm.

The standard 70 is provided with a plurality of spaced transverse holes79 and the sleeve 76 is provided with a transverse hole 80. As can bestbe Seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, the holes 79 and 80 register for receivingthe pin 81 to secure the lifting arm at the height desired. Thus, if theuser desires to perform a supine press he simply moves the sleeve 76downward on the standard 70 until the bottom hole 79 and the hole 80 arein register, and inserts the pin 81 to secure the lifting arm inposition.

For operation, the user who desires to perform a supine press simplyfits the end 40 of the lifting arm 24 in the lowest socket 39 of thecarriage 21, and locks the lifting arm in position by the pin 42. Hethen selects the number of lO-pound weights he wishes to exercise hisarm and chest muscles against by means of the selector pin 60. As shownin FIG. 8, 40 pounds of weights will be lifted by upward movement of thelifting arm 24 and carriage 21. After the desired number of weights hasbeen selected, the user'reclines in a supine position on a table andgrasps the handles 47 of the lifting arm 2%, as shown in P16. 10. Hethereupon, by exerting upward pressure on the handles M, raises thecarriage 211 out of engagement with the stop means 36, and raises andlowers the lifting 5 arm 24 the desired number of repetitions. By reasonof the fact that the wheels 46 of the carriage 2i to which the liftingarm is attached move upwardly and downwardly in the tracks 22 and 23,the user is able to exercise his arm and chest muscles in a straightline of travel from a position of complete muscle contraction to aposition of complete muscle extension, as shown in FIG. M).

The invention and its attendant advantages will be un- V derstood fromthe foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changesmay be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts ofthe invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example. I do not wish to be restrictedto the specific forms shown or uses mentioned except as defined in theaccompanying claims, wherein various portions have been separated forclarity of reading and not for emphasis.

lclaim:

1. A body-exercising machine comprising:

a. an upright supporting structure;

b. a vertically reciprocative slidable member having a plurality ofvertically spaced apertures therein;

c. guide means mounted on the upright supporting structure to guide saidmember vertically;

d. a vertically adjustable body-engaging element extended outwardly fromsaid member for engagement a trainee to impart vertically reciprocativemovement to said member, said body-engaging element being verticallyadjustable relative to said slidable member into different 35 verticalstarting heights by introducing said body-engaging element into aselected aperture in said slidable member;

e. adjustable resistance means connected to said member to bias itagainst vertically upward movement; and

stop means mounted on the upright supporting structure to preventvertical movement of said member below a predetermined height.

2. The invention according to claim 11 in which said member is acarriage having two sets of spaced-apart coaxial wheels adapted to rollon said guide means.

3. The invention according to claim l in which said guide means are twospaced-apart vertical parallel channel-shaped members.

4. The invention according to claim l in which said bodyengaging elementis substantially V-shaped with two coaxial transverse handles extendingfrom the legs of the V, said V- shaped portion being adapted toaccommodate the head and neck of the trainee and said handles beingadapted to be grasped in the hands of the trainee.

5. The invention according to claim l in which said biasing meanscomprises:

a. a cable connected to the bottom of said member;

b. a lower pulley positioned below said member;

c. an upper pulley positioned above said lower pulley;

d. a plurality of integral to said machine;

e. said cable extending downwardly from said member, around said lowerpulley, upwardly, around said upper pulley, downwardly and beingconnected to said weights; and

f. said weights being slidably arranged on vertical means.

6. A self-contained body-exercising machine comprising:

a. free-standing upright supporting structure;

b. two spaced-apart vertical channel-shaped bars mounted on said uprightsupporting structure;

c. a vertically reciprocative carriage comprising a body portion havingtwo vertically spaced-apart sets of coaxial wheels carried by said bodyportion and adapted to roll in said channel-sha d bars; (1. adjustablewei t means supported in said upright supporting structure;

e. connecting means connected to said carriage and said adjustableweight means whereby said carriage is biased in a vertically downwarddirection;

f. body-engaging means connected to said carriage for movement therewithonly in a vertical straight line direction and being verticallyadjustable relative to said carriage whereby said body-engaging meansmay be adjusted into different vertical starting heights relative tosaid carriage; and

g. fixed means mounted in said upright supporting structure for limitingdownward movement of said carriage.

1. A body-exercising machine comprising: a. an upright supportingstructure; b. a vertically reciprocative slidable member having aplurality of vertically spaced apertures therein; c. guide means mountedon the upright supporting structure to guide said member vertically; d.a vertically adjustable body-engaging element extended outwardly fromsaid member for engagement a trainee to impart vertically reciprocativemovement to said member, said bodyengaging element being verticallyadjustable relative to said slidable member into different verticalstarting heights by introducing said body-engaging element into aselected aperture in said slidable member; e. adjustable resistancemeans connected to said member to bias it against vertically upwardmovement; and f. stop means mounted on the upright supporting structureto prevent vertical movement of said member below a predeterminedheight.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said member is acarriage having two sets of spaced-apart coaxial wheels adapted to rollon said guide means.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidguide means are two spaced-apart vertical parallel channel-shapedmembers.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidbody-engaGing element is substantially V-shaped with two coaxialtransverse handles extending from the legs of the V, said V-shapedportion being adapted to accommodate the head and neck of the traineeand said handles being adapted to be grasped in the hands of thetrainee.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 in which said biasingmeans comprises: a. a cable connected to the bottom of said member; b. alower pulley positioned below said member; c. an upper pulley positionedabove said lower pulley; d. a plurality of integral to said machine; e.said cable extending downwardly from said member, around said lowerpulley, upwardly, around said upper pulley, downwardly and beingconnected to said weights; and f. said weights being slidably arrangedon vertical means.
 6. A self-contained body-exercising machinecomprising: a. free-standing upright supporting structure; b. twospaced-apart vertical channel-shaped bars mounted on said uprightsupporting structure; c. a vertically reciprocative carriage comprisinga body portion having two vertically spaced-apart sets of coaxial wheelscarried by said body portion and adapted to roll in said channel-shapedbars; d. adjustable weight means supported in said upright supportingstructure; e. connecting means connected to said carriage and saidadjustable weight means whereby said carriage is biased in a verticallydownward direction; f. body-engaging means connected to said carriagefor movement therewith only in a vertical straight line direction andbeing vertically adjustable relative to said carriage whereby saidbody-engaging means may be adjusted into different vertical startingheights relative to said carriage; and g. fixed means mounted in saidupright supporting structure for limiting downward movement of saidcarriage.